as and
_Brahmarshis_, having performed ascetic devotions there, obtained great
merit and finally attained to god-hood.

"'"Men of self-control, by even thinking mentally of Pushkara, are
cleansed from their sins, and regarded in heaven. O king, the
illustrious grand-sire having the lotus for his seat, had dwelt with
great pleasure in this _tirtha_. O blessed one, it was in Pushkara that
the gods with the Rishis having acquired of old great merit, finally
obtained the highest success. The person who, devoted to the worship of
the gods and the _Pitris_, batheth in this _tirtha_, obtaineth, it hath
been said by the wise, merit that is equal to ten times that of the
horse-sacrifice. Having gone to the Pushkara woods, he that feedeth even
one Brahmana, becometh happy here and hereafter, O Bhishma, for that
act. He that supporteth himself on vegetables and roots and fruits, may
with pious regard and without disrespect, give even such fare to a
Brahmana. And, O best of kings, the man of wisdom, even by such a gift,
will acquire the merit of a horse-sacrifice. Those illustrious persons
among Brahmanas or Kshatriyas or Vaisyas or Sudras that bathe in
Pushkara are freed from the obligation of rebirth. That man in special
who visits Pushkara on the full moon of the month of _Karttika_,
acquireth ever-lasting regions in the abode of Brahma. He that thinketh
with joined hands morning and evening, of the Pushkara, practically
batheth, O Bharata, in every _tirtha_. Whether a male or a female,
whatever sins one may commit since birth, are all destroyed as soon as
one batheth in Pushkara. As the slayer of Madhu is the foremost of all
the celestials, so is Pushkara, O king, the foremost of all _tirthas_. A
man by residing with purity and regulated vows for twelve years in
Pushkara, acquireth the merit of all the sacrifices, and goeth to the
abode of Brahma. The merit of one who performeth the _Agnihotra_ for
full one hundred years, is equal to that of him who resideth for the
single month of _Karttika_ in Pushkara. There are three white hillocks
and three springs known from the remotest times, we do not know why, by
the name of the Pushkara. It is difficult to go to Pushkara; it is
difficult to undergo ascetic austerities at Pushkara; it is difficult to
give away at Pushkara; and it is difficult to live at Pushkara.

"'"Having dwelt for twelve nights at Pushkara with regulated diet and
vows, and having walked round (the place), one must